A cat with bionic legs has become an internet sensation after he had both of his back paws amputated when he was run over by a car.

Owners Silvia Gottardi and Linda Ronzoni, from Milan, were on their honeymoon when Vito, or Vituzzo, 6, was crushed by a vehicle, forcing him to have his back legs amputated.

But Silvia and Linda were determined for their cat to have a normal life, and Vito went on become the first cat in Italy to successful have bionic legs inserted directly into his bones.

Now his feline-loving owners document his journey with 13k dedicated followers on Vito’s Instagram page, as he adapts to life on prosthetic limbs.

Vito, 6, who lives with his owners Silvia Gottardi and Linda Ronzoni in Milan, has become an Internet sensation as fans rush to follow the adorable feline on Instagram

Vito had his rear legs removed in an emergency operation after they were crushed under a vehicle, and is the first cat in Italy to successfully be fitted with ‘bionic legs’

Recalling Vito’s story, Silvia and Linda told Bored Panda how they left Vito with a friend while they went away for their honeymoon in 2018.

But tragically Vito, who is used to the outdoors, wandered off into the streets and was hit by a car.

The poor cat was found a day later after he had wandered into the street, with vets being forced to remove one of the cat’s severed paws immediately.

Vets fought to save his remaining rear limb but it became so badly wounded and infected that they were forced to amputate that one, too.

The surgery – which involves inserting the bionic legs directly into his bones has reportedly never been successfully carried out in Italy – until now (pictured, shortly after the operation)

At the time, Silvia and Linda posted on Instagram: ‘[Vito has] lost a paw and risks losing the other, without which he couldn’t live.’

They said they’d been devastated by the accident, revealing: ‘We are far away, it is a terrible moment, but luckily we have beautiful people nearby who can take care of him.’

But Vito has since been fitted with prosthetic legs – and while it took some time for the feline to get used to them, he can now act like a normal cat.

Vets fought to save his remaining rear limb but it became so badly wounded and infected that they were forced to amputate that one, too. Now he is adapting to life with bionic legs (pictured, scratching his claws)

The playful kitty now loves to get up to mischief by climbing trees, exploring the garden and running around his owner’s Milan home

Vito’s story has been widely shared with the hashtag #vituzzosuperstar.

The playful kitty now loves to get up to mischief by climbing trees, exploring the garden and running around his owner’s Milan home.

Just one year on from the accident, the cat can be seen in videos walking around, running down stairs and even jumping up on kitchen counters to take a drink from the tap.

And despite the attention Vito receives for his incredible new limbs, a post on the cat’s Instagram read: ‘The whole press talks about me. But I remain humble.’

Vito has since been fitted with prosthetic legs and while it took some time for the feline to get used to them, he can now act like a normal cat

Just a year on from the accident, the cat can be seen in videos walking around, running down stairs, lounging in the sun and even jumping up on kitchen counters to take a drink from the tap

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